In my continuing effort to bring you the coolest Man Caves I could find, I thought this sci-fi/horror fan’s dream (or possibly nightmare?!?) themed home theater definitely deserved honorable mention. Dr. David Winn of Austin, TX designed this room to display his amazing collection of science fiction and horror movie memorabilia. He stocked his fantastic universe with life-size replicas from some of his favorite movies, and some awesome AV devices to create an atmosphere worthy of any mad scientist.
This little cave of horrors boasts not only an extraterrestrial venue to view spine-chilling flicks, but it invites the viewer into the setting with special effects that discharge steam from the ceiling, and hydraulic controls that propel an Alien through a wall (creepy, but at the same time, pretty cool!).
Winn likes to think of his creation as “a spaceship transporting dangerous aliens” and enjoys the fact that his friends sometimes have to request a change of underwear during a screening. Considering he has full size models of the Creature from the Black Lagoon and Predator caged on either side of the main screen, I would have to agree with him! (And I’m guessing this guy doesn’t have any small children…)
Portholes around the room allow you to look out over the galaxy, but it’s up on the 144-inch screen that Winn achieves “suspension of disbelief” by depicting a spaceship in high Earth orbit. When it comes to other audio and video equipment, that movie magic is organized in an equipment stack at the back of the room. Two smaller screens compliment the main screen up front. “It becomes a great sports bar during football season,” Winn says.
What’s really impressive is that the cost of the entire project, including props and equipment, came in at under $100,000. And if he gets tired of the creature features, the two additional screens below the main one provide a great sports theatre. His one regret that was beyond the scope of his budget? No stars in the ceiling. “We couldn’t recess the starports because the ceiling truss interfered with the light enclosures”.
Even without overhead luminaries, I applaud Dr. Winn on his creativity and ghoulish sense of design. (I especially liked the huge eyeball suspended from the ceiling.) But believe me, if I ever dared step foot into this ultimate man cave, I’d be bringing Officer Ripley with me.
Equipment List
- Denon AVR 4306 7.1 Receiver
- Microsoft XBox 360 (3)
- Monster Power HTS 3600
- Optoma DLP HD2+ Projector
- Polk Center-Channel Speaker
- Polk 6 Speakers
- Proficient S12 Subwoofer
- Sony PlayStation 3
- Toshiba HD DVD Player
- Yamaha MX55 4-Channel Amplifier
- Yamaha 400 watt amplifiers (3) for Side, Front & Center Speakers
- Ethernet Hub
- Laptop with 3Planesoft Screensaver System Design & Installation Escom Austin, TX
For the full article, visit Electronic House.
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